Panalpina will expand it perishables network to South Africa by acquiring a majority stake in Skyservices, a South African company specializing in air exports of perishables.

Skyservices is headquartered in Johannesburg and has a strong presence in Cape Town. The acquisition will enable end-to-end solutions for perishables from South Africa to Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and the US.

“The acquisition of Skyservices allows us to rapidly become a major player in South Africa’s perishables market,” said Stefan Karlen, CEO of Panalpina. “The majority of the company’s export volumes go to London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, where we have a strong perishables expertise and can therefore offer end-to-end solutions to customers. Given the strategic role that South Africa plays for the global trade of perishables today and tomorrow, it is only logical that we establish our own presence there and further strengthen the ever-growing Panalpina Perishables Network. Our non-perishables cargo into South Africa will continue to be handled by our agent Bidvest Panalpina.”

Perishables make up 40% of South Africa’s air freight exports and include fresh cut flowers, subtropical and deciduous fruit, various specialist vegetables, berries, meat and fish. Key destination countries served by Skyservices include the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, the UAE and the US.

“We have found an ideal partner in Panalpina to further grow our successful business and offer end-to-end solutions for perishables into Europe, but also the Middle East, Far East and USA,” says Bernd Julicher, managing director of Skyservices. “Panalpina’s global network and vast perishables expertise will also be invaluable for serving new and increasingly important destination markets like China.”

Skyservices began operations in May 2000 and is fully owned by Bernd Julicher, Frik van Rooyen and Jaco van Zijverden. Julicher will continue to lead the company’s 52 employees in Johannesburg and Cape Town as managing director. The company operates a 2,000-square-metre warehouse at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport and a new, purpose-built, 1,700-square-metre warehouse just outside Cape Town International Airport.

“Today is a day of celebration, and the beginning of an exciting journey,” said Rafic Mecattaf, regional CEO for the Middle East, Africa and the CIS at Panalpina. “South Africa is a land of opportunity and we see a significant growth potential for perishables in this country, including in ocean freight.”

The two companies have agreed not to disclose any financial details of the deal.